Bio load and coral questions....

[joecon]

I have a 75 Gallon with about 75 lbs of LR, 1/2" of sand (Aragonite), a back pak 2 skimmer and an Emperor filter with the 2 bio wheels. I have a small yellow tang (2.5") a maroon clown about the same size and 5 damsels that thankfully survived the cycling process (damn the LFS that told me to cycle with damsels!). Anyway, I want your opinions on my current bio load and if it would be OK to add the following: Algae Blenny, black and white heniochus (sp?) and last fish will be a flame angel or coral beauty.

Also, I would like at least 1 coral and one anemone for the maroon clown. I heard maroons would do well with a bubble tip anemone. Before I go out and get one, I want to make sureI can keep it alive. Are bubble tips easy to care for and what are the minimum requirements to keep it alive? Also, what hardy corals can you suggest for an extremely stupid newbie?

Thanks!

[saltjunkie]

well, the bioload for the filtration would seem heavy.. but i would be more concerned about lighting for the needs of the bubble tip, 9or any anenome) and the corals
what lights do you have??

[zhenya]

Hi joecon,

I agree with saltjunkie that more information about your tank would be helpful before anyone could give you a meaningfull suggestion to your querry about keeping corals or anemones( How long since your tank was set up and lighting, etc.)
In regards to bioload, I think you are maxed in the fish department and I wouldn't add any.

[Steven Pro]

If you take the damsels out, you would be able to add all of your listed fish.

[joecon]

my tank has been up for about 2 months. 8.4 Ph, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and 5.0 ppm Nitrates. Specific Gravity is at 1.024 and temp is at 82 F. I have the standard lighting that came with my tank set, which is an Eclipse Natural Daylight flourescent bulb.

So you say my tank is maxed a far as the fish goes. what kind of filtration can I add to increase the amount of fish I can add without getting rid of the damsels?

Thanks!

[Steven Pro]

Well for one, you don't have enough lighting currently for a coral or anemone. Plus, your tank has not been setup long enough for you to learn the ropes as far the the husbandry required.

As for the damsels, could you be more specific? There are many, many different species of damsels. Some stay small while others grow quite large. Regardless though, their territorial nature and aggressiveness will likely be problematic for adding more fish. If it were me, I would probably remove them.

[joecon]

i have 2 blue devils, 1 blue yellow tail and 2 black and white striped damsel.

How do u catch damsels with 75lbs. of LR? everytime I stick my hand in to clean the tank they all disappear LOL. Any good suggestions on how to catch them without removing the rocks?

Thanks for the info. I guess I will hold off on any anemones and corals for quite some time.

[saltjunkie]

i have 2 blue devils, 1 blue yellow tail and 2 black and white striped damsel.

How do u catch damsels with 75lbs. of LR? everytime I stick my hand in to clean the tank they all disappear LOL. Any good suggestions on how to catch them without removing the rocks?

Thanks for the info. I guess I will hold off on any anemones and corals for quite some time.

remove the rocks... get emm out..

lighting , not anywhere near enough...
filtration.. best would be a sump with refugium, and a skimmer,
tank needs alot more maturity to be stable enough for delicate (sp?) corals or animals...

[vtec si]

Hello,
I have a friend here in Denver that has a 75 gallon that has nine fish in it and many corals but he has the filtration that would handle 180gallon to a 210. Like saltjunkie said. First a good skimmer (go for the best you can afford) a sump/refugium, carbon, water changes, water changes, water changes and water changes! As for corals and anemones you need better lighting, like MH (metal halides), VHO (vary high output) PC (power compact) at the least. IMO I would get some good books and read. Did I mention water change!

Good luck,
Martin

[saltjunkie]

Hello,
I have a friend here in Denver that has a 75 gallon that has nine fish in it and many corals but he has the filtration that would handle 180gallon to a 210. Like saltjunkie said. First a good skimmer (go for the best you can afford) a sump/refugium, carbon, water changes, water changes, water changes and water changes! As for corals and anemones you need better lighting, like MH (metal halides), VHO (vary high output) PC (power compact) at the least. IMO I would get some good books and read. Did I mention water change!

Good luck,
Martin

good books..
that was some of the best advice so far!

[joecon]

What can I do filtration wise so I can increase the bio load? I understand lighting is not good enough and will hold off on any corals or anemones.

But i kinda like my damsels, yet want to add at least 1 or 2 more fish. Increasing the number of LR would do the trick? More frequent water changes? Any help on how to increase the load without killing the tank is much appreciated

TIA

[Steven Pro]

What can I do filtration wise so I can increase the bio load? I understand lighting is not good enough and will hold off on any corals or anemones.

But i kinda like my damsels, yet want to add at least 1 or 2 more fish. Increasing the number of LR would do the trick? More frequent water changes? Any help on how to increase the load without killing the tank is much appreciated

TIA

I saw a tank in LA that was about 50 gallons and yet had 12 or more medium sized fish. The way he dealt with it was by having a 75 gallon sump/refugium tied onto the system.

[scubadude]

Hi joecon

Everyone is trying to tell you that you really cant increase your bioload with your existing setup...you will have to dramatically change your system to increase your bioload. Please take everything to heart that they say. I personally would either go with a sump and a much bigger skimmer something that would be more effecient like a ASM skimmer or a euroreef 5-3, and keep the bakpak as well, redundancy pays! then I would throw in some more flow and get you some good lights. I realize this is a major expense but really if you want your cake and eat it too then you have to pay for it. Even with all that said though you will still be heavy on a bioload of fish...you may be able to get a few corals and maybe one or two fish if you got the damsels out of there...as far as how to get rid of the damsels, there are traps but they will get you more frustrated then they are worth. You might just have to remove the LR and do it the old fashioned way which can be a pain in the butt, but if you do it carefully and dont stir everything up you will probably have more luck and get it done alot quicker than trying to catch them w/the LR in there. And your probably thinking at this point....man thats alot of work...So my next point would be if your that hung up on going the directions you want why not just start planning a bigger/better tank....but do it RIGHT, I guarantee you that we will be much more apt to itemize attention to you if you show us the patience and dedication for a new tank setup, unfortunately your system is not easily upgradable as it is...you could tear it down and take it to the glass shop and have it drilled and then put together a sump, and go the whole ball of wax...but if your gonna go that far you might as well start looking for a used 120g and upgrade your whole size